by Dee J. Stone
“No,” he mutters. He must have been worn out from invading his mom’s mind. Why doesn’t he explain that to his father? “Sorry. I’ll try harder next time.”
Samson nods. His gaze pastes on me. “Ray, I’m disappointed. I chose you to lead the team because of the strength you have, both physically and mentally. You let me down. Why didn’t you see me hidden inside that wall?”
I don’t know. Yes, I’m pretty sure I know why.
“Your focus wasn’t on the mission,” Samson says. He’s right. I was busy trying to compete with Stealth. It’s my fault half the team died. No matter what I do, I can’t save the ones I care about.
“You are all dismissed. I want this to be a learning experience. Just because you took down the strongest enemy, that doesn’t automatically label you a winner. Never underestimate your enemies.”
“What about not relying on our leader?” Air says. “He.” She points to me. “Got us all killed.”
Samson’s face grows serious. “Always rely on one another. That’s the basic rule we have here. We all have each other’s backs.”
Air rolls her eyes. “Okay, but I’m never going to rely on him again.”
“Me, either,” Furball says. “He should have watched over us like he was supposed to.”
“And you shouldn’t have separated from the group and ran off,” Samson reprimands. “I’ve told you countless times how dangerous that is.”
Furball lowers her head. “Sorry.”
“Still,” Air says. “Punish him for being careless.”
Some other kids nod. Stealth just stares at me.
“Leave X alone,” Lindsay says.
“Come, man,” Kale says. “We don’t have to stand here listening to this crap.”
He, Lindsay, and I make our way to an elevator that’ll take us to the Game Room.
“Thanks,” I tell them, the corners of my lips tilting upward a bit.
Kale and Lindsay smile. He says, “Don’t mention it.”
Chapter Seven
“Anything you’d like to talk about today?” Glen asks, munching on a donut. We’ve been sitting in his room for ten minutes. In silence.
I shake my head.
“Nothing at all?”
I don’t say anything.
“Girls?”
Stealth invades my head. I don’t know why. I haven’t seen her since practice two days ago. Just been in my room and hanging with Kale. “Definitely not.”
He’s quiet for a little while. “There must be someone who caught your attention.”
“No.”
We always touch on this topic, when he’s himself. He’s actually been like this the past few times I visited. A sign he’s improving?
“That’s a shame.”
Quiet again. My thoughts wander to the events that took place during my last practice. How can I forget when I’m constantly reminded of it? Whenever I bump into Air in the halls, she comments on my performance. When I’m in my room, I see the kids hanging out and talking. The hot topic’s about the League freak screwing up and getting us all “killed.”
Samson and Cindy haven’t been giving me crap about it. Nor has Kale. But I feel like I let them down. Sure it was only a simulation, but I don’t like not being in control. I shouldn’t have allowed Stealth to distract me the way she did.
Next time, I will be the leader I’m meant to be.
“You seem preoccupied with something,” Glen says.
“No.” I avoid his eyes, because I feel him scrutinizing me.
“Are you sure? Tell me what’s bothering you.”
I don’t know what it is that makes me want to open my mouth—to let my guard down and express myself to him. The words escape from my lips as though they have minds of their own. “Have you been listening to the gossip?”
“Gossip?”
I shouldn’t have brought it up. “Never mind.”
“I had another vision. About you.”
I’m beyond curious. My gaze shoots to his face, my eyes probably as wide as basketballs. He’s frowning. I’m guessing this vision isn’t a good one. Yet, I want to know. Need to know. I can’t stand this wondering. Will I have a girlfriend? Will life get better? Will I be happy again?
“What about?” I ask.
He stares straight ahead, as though his mind is blank. After blinking a few times, he turns to me. “I don’t remember. It was a few days ago.”
I don’t say a word. I knew this would happen and I’m not too upset about it. Though it would be nice to be reassured that my future will be okay.
“A good-looking guy like yourself must attract some girls.”
“Hardly.”
He doesn’t respond and we sit quietly for a few minutes. I look around the mansion. Samson and Cindy are in the Conference Room with the Elites, discussing finances. Some kids are in the Game Room, others are training in the Sim Room. Kale is with Lindsay in the lounge, talking and laughing. Stealth is probably in her room.
“The weather is nice outside,” Glen says. “Go out and have fun with kids your age. Don’t sit with an old man like me.”
I shake my head. He doesn’t know how much I enjoy his company.
The door opens and Tranquility walks in. “Hello, Glen. Ready for bed?”
I get to my feet to move out of their way. Tranquility says, “Hi, Ray.”
“Hi. He’s doing much better, isn’t he?”
She bobs her head slightly. That would be a no. I don’t know why I have a glimmer of hope that he’s getting better.
“Okay,” she says to Glen. “Time for bed.”
He stares at her with a goofy grin on his face. He’s still convinced she’s his wife.
“Goodnight, Ray,” Glen says.
“’Night.”
***
X, Kale yells in my head. His fists pound on my door. I jump up in bed. The entire mansion is on edge, something I’m not used to waking up to. The Elites are in the Conference Room, in a heated discussion. Most look worried and upset. Samson’s lips are pressed together like he’s trying to keep his cool. My thoughts automatically go to the Blades.
What’s going on? I ask Kale.
It’s Premonition. He…he… His gaze lowers to the floor.
He what?
He’s…dead.
No. No! I won’t believe it. Can’t believe it. Refuse to. I was just with him last night.
I’m sorry, X. It’s true.
My eyes pierce through the walls and ceilings until I’m in Glen’s room. He’s not there. A few seconds later, I find him in the hospital with Tranquility, Cindy, and Healer. He’s lying on a bed, eyes shut tight, palms opened at his sides. He looks like he’s asleep.
I get up and slowly bang my fist against the wall. A few good times. It doesn’t help. I don’t think anything can. Glen was my only friend here, except for Kale. He understood me in a different way than my best friend.
And now he’s no longer with me.
X, Kale says. Let me in?
I’m only wearing jeans. I throw on a T-shirt and invite him inside. He gives me a sad smile and sits on my bed while I lower myself to the floor. Fist my hands through my hair. I knew this day would come, but I wasn’t prepared for it. I don’t think anyone could prepare for something like this. I expected it to hurt, but not like this.
Kale shifts on the bed. “Wanna talk about it?”
“You know me better than that.”
“Yeah, but...I’m sorry he died, X.”
I lean my head against the bed and shut my eyes. “It was bound to happen. His brain was deteriorating and no one could have helped him.”
He must know this affects me more than I’m letting on, but he doesn’t say anything.
“I want to find her and kill her,” I say after a little while. He looks at me. “She’s done screwing people’s lives up.”
He puffs out some air. “Yeah.”
“He didn’t do anything wrong,” I say, my voice hollow as I stare at the dir
ty carpet. I still haven’t cleaned my room. “He didn’t deserve this.”
Kale reaches toward me and pats my shoulder. “My parents are organizing the funeral,” he says in a low voice. “It’ll probably be tonight.”
My throat is tight as I stare down at Glen. He really does look asleep. I hope he’s in a better place now, and that he’s happy. Wonder if he met Stretch in the afterlife, or wherever they are now. Hope they’re okay.
“Do you know when he died?” I ask.
“My mom said during the night. Tranquility found him this morning. She said he died in peace.”
I nod. I wish I could do something. Not sit here, but go out. Find Vlayne. Torture her. Kill her. I clench my fists. What she did to Glen is unforgivable. She ruined his life.
Kale’s hand on my shoulder tightens. “We’ll find her. For Premonition and for Stretch, and for all the other lives she’s ruined.”
***
I attend Glen’s funereal with Kale. I don’t want to make the same mistake as I did with Stretch. Though I watched from my room, it wasn’t the same. Being here, I feel connected to Glen. Closer. And I have the opportunity to say goodbye.
Samson and some others give speeches and eulogies. Standing in the back of the room, leaning against the door, I stare at the coffin. I can’t believe he’s lying in there. In just a few short hours, he will be six feet under, gone, buried. And I’ll never see him again.
Losing Stretch was different. It was unexpected and I constantly blame myself. Stretch’s parents were in so much pain they left the League. He was young and healthy and such a positive person. Glen was young, too. He never experienced things most men experience, such as marriage and having kids. I wonder if I will end up like the two of them—dead before I have a chance to really live.
“X,” Kale says. I look up. He and Lindsay stand before me. “Doing okay?”
“I’m fine.”
Quiet.
“Wanna do something?” Kale asks.
“We can go for a walk outside,” Lindsay suggests.
I’m not really in the mood for that. “No, thanks.”
X, Kale begs. Please don’t go through this alone.
I’m all right. Go spend time with Lindsay.
I mean, yeah I want to, but I also want to spend time with my best friend.
I don’t say or think anything.
Please, X. He wouldn’t want you to mope like this.
Lindsay looks from Kale to me. She can’t hear any of this, but she seems to realize that it’s a private conversation. Doesn’t seem to mind, though.
“I’ll meet you outside,” she says and bends forward to kiss him, but stops. After giving me a sympathetic smile, she leaves the room.
“You’re right,” I say. “He wouldn’t want me to mope. But I’d really like to be alone right now.”
“I get it, but I don’t want you to be alone. You don’t have to be alone.”
I don’t answer and we stand there staring at each other. Finally, I say, “Lindsay’s waiting for you.”
“Yeah.”
Don’t push her aside for me. You guys love each other. My throat constricts. What I’d give...
Kale shifts from one foot to the other. He opens his mouth to say something, but someone steps close to us. Dr. Evans, the League shrink.
“Hello, boys.”
“Hi, Dr. Evans,” Kale says.
Dr. Evans looks at me. I don’t like where this is headed. “Hello, Ray.”
I nod to him.
“Kale, may I have a word with Ray privately?”
“Sure.”
He pats my arm before leaving the room. Dr. Evans leads me toward the many chairs that were set up for the funeral. The room is emptying out as everyone slowly goes back to their usual activities.
Once we’re seated, the doctor turns to me. “How are you doing?”
“I’m fine,” I mutter.
He folds his hands together, his eyes never leaving mine. “You might think you’re fine, but you’re not. Ray, bottling up your emotions—”
“You know something? I have somewhere else to be.”
I’m up and out of the room before he has a chance to blink. I get into an elevator, take it down to the first floor, and leave through the back exit. After I meet up with Lindsay and Kale, we wander around the backyard. We sit down on the grass surrounding the basketball courts.
The two of them carry the conversation while I think of everything and nothing.
Chapter Eight
A few days have passed since Glen’s death. I spend my time lying in bed like usual, playing games, hanging out with Kale and Lindsay, and working out. We’ve hunted a bit, only to find nothing.
I’m in the shower now, trying not to let my thoughts swallow me. Just like I do when I hit the gym. The difference is that I have nothing to busy myself with. It’s just me and the water and the shampoo. No punching bag to exert my anger on, no weights to strain my muscles with.
The water streams down on me as I work the shampoo through my hair. I don’t remember the last time I washed it. Maybe the night before Glen’s death. It actually feels refreshing to clean my hair. It usually rests on my shoulders in a black lump, almost like a mop.
I get out of the shower, wrap a towel around my waist, and step in front of the mirror. The guy staring back at me appears somewhat decent.
I continue studying myself as I brush my teeth. After rinsing my mouth and wiping my lips with the back of my hand, I lift my face to the mirror.
Stealth’s reflection is behind me.
I whirl around. She’s standing there, eyes pasted on mine. My hands instinctively go to my waist and tug the towel tighter.
She comes toward me. I step back. As she gets closer, I move farther back. Until I hit the wall behind me.
She’s close now—less than a foot away. Grabbing my shoulders, she presses me against the wall. Next thing I feel is her lips on mine. Soft, warm, inviting. Her hands slide up my chest to my wet hair. They claw through it and she yanks me forward. My body is heating up faster than burning metal. I reach to pull her even closer, but she pushes off.
We face each other, stare at each other. Panting. Her lips are red and swollen, eyes hot. My body is a furnace. My hands shoot to the towel and tug harder. Stealth watches, her chest rising and falling rapidly. A smile forms on her face before she transforms into a cloud of mist and disappears under the door.
My fingertips touch my lips. They’re warm. I can still taste her.
What the hell was that?
I throw on my pajama pants and head to my room. Climb into bed. Automatically, I search through the walls until I’m in her room. She’s lying on her bed, leafing through a magazine. Has that pissed-off look she always wears. Doesn’t seem turned on like I am. Doesn’t look like she shared a hot kiss with a guy less than three minutes ago.
I tear my gaze away because it’s not right to invade her privacy.
I don’t know what the hell that was, but if she’s not going to linger on it, I won’t, either.
But as I try to get some sleep, I find myself tossing and turning. She invades my thoughts, makes my heart race and my body heat up the way it did in the bathroom.
Was she really not affected by that kiss?
I shut my eyes and push any Stealth-related thoughts far, far away. Except, that doesn’t exactly work.
Because it’s my first time dreaming about a girl.
***
The next day in the Game Room, I’m sitting on the couch, listening to music while watching kids play.
The loneliness. I can’t stand it. I don’t have Glen to visit and I don’t want to impose on Kale and Lindsay. Stretch isn’t here to joke around with. There’s just me and my sorry self. I used to be okay with it, but ever since Glen died, a void has grown inside me. Video games and TV can’t fill it. Neither can hunting nor working out. I have no emotions left. I’m a zombie.
Except when I think about Stealth. That kiss. It won’t le
ave my head. My body reacts, and no matter how much I try, I can’t control it.
Someone pulls my earbud out. Whispers, “You liked that.”
I look up and find Stealth standing before me. Her eyes dance with humor. I swallow, trying to mask my emotions. “That measly, worthless kiss?” I say, crossing my arms over my chest and leaning back.
She bends toward my ear, her hair caressing my cheek. I take in its vanilla scent. My heartbeat accelerates. “It may have been all those things,” she says, her voice soft as she bends even closer. “But that measly, worthless kiss affected you. A lot.”
Hell yes, it did. Still does. I want to throw her onto the couch and do things I’ve fantasized about. Her proximity and sweet smell is killing me.
“Anyway,” she says. “Catch you later.”
She lifts a finger to my mouth. Crosses an invisible “X” on my lips. She mists away.
I stare at the empty space she just occupied, my heart pounding, my body on fire, my lips throbbing.
Why does she torment me like this? Is it all a joke to her? It must be a game.
I can’t let her win. I won’t let her win. Won’t give her the satisfaction.
All the kids in the Game Room gawk at me and I can’t stand it. I get to my feet. A quick scan around the mansion tells me Stealth is in the library, flipping through a book. Again, she seems indifferent to all of this. It pisses me off, yet it turns me on even more. She’s a mystery, and I’m intrigued.
Chapter Nine
Kale and I are crouched behind a mountain of garbage. The smell makes me want to toss up my lunch. Kale’s face and lips are twisted into different shapes. “Man,” he mutters. “Couldn’t we find a better place to hide?”
We’re in an alley in Downtown Brooklyn, trailing a group of villains. They caught my attention because one of them has the ShadowBlade logo tattooed onto his neck. They’re standing around. Seem to be waiting for someone or something.
I place my finger on my lips. We need to be quiet. We can’t screw this up.
